INTRODUCTIONThe Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is conducting a Project Planning study for the MD 28 / Rockville Town Center: Veirs Mill Road at First Street intersection, located in Rockville, Maryland.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDYThe purpose of the proposed project is to developalternates to improve the traffic operations, addresscongestion specific to this intersection and improvepedestrian and bicycle access.

PURPOSE OF THE WORKSHOP

The purpose of the MD 28 / Rockville Town CenterWorkshop is to familiarize interested citizens withthe Project Planning study, present preliminaryimprovement alternates, receive public commentson the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and FirstStreet, and provide an opportunity for publicparticipation in the overall planning process.

The public workshop is co-sponsored by theMaryland State Highway Administration (SHA) andthe Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) inconjunction with the City of Rockville. Displays willbe available from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Citizenswill have the opportunity to visit project displays,which will include maps depicting alternatescurrently under consideration, traffic data, andenvironmental impacts.

Please note that there will be no formalpresentation by SHA. However, SHA, MontgomeryCounty and City of Rockville representatives will beavailable to receive comments and answerquestions.

HOW TO PROVIDE COMMENTS ON THE PROJECT

The public is encouraged to participate in thisworkshop and in the planning process. Thesealternates are preliminary and appropriate changesmay be made after comments are received andevaluated. Comments may be given verbally toSHA representatives at the workshop. Also, acomment card is enclosed in this brochure for youruse. Comment cards will also be available at theworkshop. The brochure comment card can alsobe used to add your name to the project mailinglist. You may also add your name by registeringwith the meeting receptionist located at the mainentrance of the facility. However, if you received acopy of this brochure in the mail, you are alreadyincluded on the mailing list.

PROGRAM STATUSThe project is included in the Maryland Departmentof Transportation’s Consolidated TransportationProgram (CTP); however, funding is currentlyprogrammed for the Project Planning phase only.At the present time, funds for final design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction are notprogrammed.

PROJECT NEEDThere is a need to improve the MD 28/MD 586/MD 911(Veirs Mill Road at First Street) intersectionbecause of the anticipated increase in trafficturning movement volumes, land use changes,existing weave movement conflicts and back ups.

The need to improve traffic operations isdemonstrated by the existing and projected Levels-of-Service (LOS) for the intersection (See Table 1).The Level-of-Service (LOS) is a measure of thecongestion experienced by drivers, and rangesfrom "A" (free flow with little or no congestion) to"F" (failure with stop-and-go conditions). LOS isnormally computed for the peak hours of the typical1

day, with LOS D (approaching unstable flow) orbetter being considered acceptable for highways inurban and suburban areas. At LOS E trafficvolumes are near the capacity of the highway.LOS F represents conditions over the designedcapacity of the highway, evidenced by operationalbreakdowns with stop-and-go conditions andextremely long delays at signalized intersections.Volume to capacity (v/c) ratios numerically showhow many vehicles or what volume of the trafficexists in comparison to the capacity of theroadway. A v/c ratio of 1.0 means that the volumeof traffic is at the capacity of the roadway andrepresents a LOS F condition.

Based on approved future land use, trafficconditions are forecasted to worsen by the designyear, at which time the intersection will beoperating at a worse LOS (see Table 1). Tominimize the impacts associated with planned andapproved development, improvements that willfacilitate access between east Rockville and theTown Center as well as the rail station are beingconsidered.

Improvements at this intersection would alsoreduce queues for traffic traveling southbound onMD 28 (First Street) to westbound MD 28 (VeirsMill Road), resulting in improved traffic operations.In addition, there are weaving conflicts betweeneastbound MD 28 (Veirs Mill Road) to northboundMD 28 (First Street) from the Stonestreet Avenueramp and through eastbound MD 28 (Veirs MillRoad) traffic.

Sidewalks and crosswalks will enhance access tothe MARC and the Metro Station within theintersection area. Also, improved bicycle accesswould complement WMATA's existing investment inbicycle lockers and racks, as well as the City ofRockville and Montgomery County investments inbicycle paths.

EXISTING CONDITIONSThe Veirs Mill Road at First Street intersectionproject limits are Baltimore Road to the north, MD 911 to the railroad crossing to the south,Edmonston Drive to the east and Dodge Street to the west. The Veirs Mill Road at First Streetintersection is experiencing failure in both the AM and PM peak hours.

ALTERNATES CURRENTLYUNDER CONSIDERATION

There are five alternates currently underconsideration including the No-Build Alternate andfour "build" alternates.

AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE 11:: NNOO--BBUUIILLDD

The No-Build Alternate consists of routinemaintenance, minor reconstruction projects anddeveloper based roadway improvementsassociated with new developments. TransportationSystems Management (TSM) strategies are a partof the No-build Alternate. TSM strategies optimizethe existing transportation system. The TSMstrategies being considered includechannelization/intersection improvements,signalization, and improved transit connectivity. It should be noted that the City of Rockville andMontgomery County encourage TSM strategies fornew development or redevelopment and havealready implemented some of their own programs.The No-Build Alternate serves as a baseline for thecomparison of the other proposed alternates (see Figure 1).

AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE 22:: GGRRAADDEE SSEEPPAARRAATTEEDD

This grade separated alternate provides an urbandiamond interchange at the intersection of VeirsMill Road at First Street. Veirs Mill Road iselevated over First Street and is treated as theprimary movement. This means that the trafficalong Veirs Mills Road would not have to stop.The ramps associated with the interchange would

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require some roadway widening and would replacethe current turning maneuvers with a new trafficsignal on First Street (see Figure 2).

The typical roadway section for this alternateconsists of two 13' eastbound through lanes andtwo 13' westbound through lanes, which areseparated by a 10' median. There are three off-ramp and two on-ramp lanes, with the outsidelanes being 15' wide to accommodate bicyclists.Pedestrians would use 6' sidewalks separated fromthe ramps with a 6' planting strip (see Figure 6).

AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE 33:: GGRRAADDEE SSEEPPAARRAATTEEDD

This grade separated alternate provides an urbandiamond interchange at the intersection of VeirsMill Road at First Street. In this case, First Streetis depressed under Veirs Mill Road and is treatedas the primary movement. This means that thetraffic along First Street would not have to stop.The ramps associated with the interchange wouldrequire some roadway widening and would replacethe current turning movements with a new trafficsignal on Veirs Mill Road (see Figure 3).

The roadway section for this alternate consists oftwo 13' northbound through lanes and two 13'southbound through lanes, which are separated bya 10' median. There are three off-ramp and twoon-ramp lanes, with the outside lanes being 15'wide to accommodate bicyclists. Pedestrianswould use 6' sidewalks separated from the rampswith a 6' planting strip (see Figure 6).

AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE 44:: AATT--GGRRAADDEE

This alternate includes sidewalks and on-streetbicycle facilities, transit improvements, and trafficoperation improvements. The traffic improvementsfor Alternate 4 were determined by developing alane configuration that would maintain the LOS forthe design year 2025 that equals or exceeds theLOS experienced today(see Table 1). Widening isneeded on all four approaches to meet thesedesired provisions (see Figure 4).

The roadway section for this alternate will consistof four eastbound through lanes and threewestbound through lanes with 15' wide outsidelanes to accommodate bicyclists. Pedestrianswould use 6' sidewalks separated from theroadway with a 6' planting strip. Variouscombinations of curbing and medians withpedestrian refuges are proposed throughout theproject limits (see Figure 7).

AALLTTEERRNNAATTEE 44AA:: AATT--GGRRAADDEE

This alternate is similar to Alternate 4; however, thetraffic improvements include a lane configurationthat would result in a LOS for the design year 2025that is better than the LOS experienced today (seeTable 1). Widening of all four approaches is neededto meet these operational goals (see Figure 5).

The roadway section for this alternate wouldconsist of four eastbound through lanes and fourwestbound through lanes with 15' wide outsidelanes to accommodate bicyclists. Pedestrianswould use 6' sidewalks separated from theroadway with a 6' planting strip. Variouscombinations of curbing and medians withpedestrian refuges are proposed throughout theproject limits (see Figure 7).

ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCE SUMMARY

An assessment of the project area has beencompleted to identify socio-economic, cultural andnatural environmental resources (see Table 2).Impacts to these resources associated with theproposed improvements will be further refined asthe alternates are developed in more detail.

LLAANNDD UUSSEE AANNDD SSOOCCIIOO--EECCOONNOOMMIICCRREESSOOUURRCCEESS

Existing land use in the project area consistslargely of residential, single family housing withsome commercial uses/office buildings in thesouthwest quadrant of the intersection. Future land

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use within the immediate project area is projectedto remain the same. However, additional mixed-use commercial, public and institutional andresidential development is proposed within theRockville Town Center and at the two majorintersections closest to the project area (MD 355 at MD 911 and MD 355 at MD 28).

A portion of the southwest quadrant is included inthe Rockville Town Center Planning Area.Improvements under consideration are consistentwith the City of Rockville's goals as stated in theCity of Rockville's approved and adopted MasterPlan (2001).

The study area is located within a denselypopulated, urban area. Each build alternate wouldrequire additional right-of-way, which could result infrom 12 to 22 residential relocations and onecommercial displacement, requiring from 4 to 6acres of right-of-way. No publicly owned publicparks or recreational areas were identified in theproject area.

Emergency response time in the study area isexpected to improve as a result of the proposedimprovements.

To date, and in compliance with Executive Order(EO) 12898 "Federal Actions to AddressEnvironmental Justice in the Minority and Low-Income Populations", no minority or low-incomepopulations have been identified within the studyarea.

CCUULLTTUURRAALL RREESSOOUURRCCEESS

The Rockville Park Historic District, which is listedon the National Register of Historic Places, islocated in the study area. Additionally, the studyarea is also likely to contain archeologialresources. The need for additional archeologicalinvestigations will be determined following theselection of alternates retained for detailed study.SHA will continue to coordinate with the MarylandHistorical Trust (MHT) to determine the effect of the

alternates on cultural resources. In accordancewith the Section 106 procedures of the NationalHistoric Preservation Act, this Public AlternatesWorkshop provides an opportunity for public inputregarding cultural resources.

NNAATTUURRAALL RREESSOOUURRCCEESS

The study area is located in within a denselypopulated, urban area. Vegetation consists mainlyof landscaping and residential plantings.Coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS) and the Maryland Department of NaturalResources (DNR) determined that no federal orstate proposed or listed endangered or threatenedspecies or unique habitats are known to existwithin the project area. Cabin John Creek, RockCreek, and their tributaries are located within thestudy area. These streams and all their tributariesin the vicinity of the proposed project are classifiedas Use I Waters by the Maryland Department ofthe Environment (MDE) (suitable for recreation,habitat for warm and cold water fish and otherwildlife). To protect these uses, MDE may restrictin-stream work from March 1st through June 15thinclusive, during any year. No stream impacts areanticipated with any of the alternates underconsideration. Three potential wetlands wereidentified in close proximately to the current studyarea. Wetland impacts are anticipated with theproposed alternates (see Table 2). Stormwatermanagement and sediment and erosion controlplans will be developed to minimize impacts towater quality and will be implemented inaccordance with the MDE regulations.

The need for air quality and noise analyses will beevaluated following the selection of alternatesretained for detailed study.

FOCUS GROUPAs part of the Project Planning Process, SHA hasassembled a Focus Group, comprised of localresidents, community leaders, and businessrepresentatives. This group has provided feedback

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and local perspectives to the study team in thedevelopment of proposed improvements.Comments and suggestions received from theFocus Group have been evaluated andincorporated into the alternates, where possible.

REMAINING PLANNING STEPS●● Determine Alternates Retained for Detailed

Study

●● Perform detailed engineering and environmental technical studies

●● Prepare draft environmental documentation

●● Hold Location/Design Public Hearing

●● Identify a selected alternate

●● Prepare final environmental documentation

●● Obtain Location/Design Approval

MEDIA USED FOR WORKSHOP NOTIFICATION

Advertisements for the meeting appeared in thefollowing newspapers:

●● The Washington Post●● The Gazette (Rockville)●● The Montgomery Sentinel●● The Montgomery Journal

STATE-AID PROGRAMSShould you have any questions concerning non-discrimination in federally listed and State-Aidprograms, please contact:

Mr. Walter Owens, Jr., DirectorOffice of Equal OpportunityState Highway Administration707 North Calvert StreetBaltimore, MD 21202Phone: (410) 545-0315

RIGHT-OF-WAY AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

The proposed project may require additional right-of-way. For information regarding right-of-way andrelocation assistance, please contact:

Mr. Doug Mills, ChiefDistrict #3 Office of Right of WayState Highway Administration9300 Kenilworth AvenueGreenbelt, MD 20770Telephone: (301) 513-7476

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PROJECT PLANNING TEAMIf you have any questions about this study, pleasefeel free to contact one of the persons below:

Mr. Raja Veeramachaneni, DirectorOffice of Planning and Preliminary EngineeringMaryland State Highway AdministrationMail Stop C-411707 N. Calvert StreetBaltimore, MD 21202Telephone: (410) 545-0412

Mr. Charles K. WatkinsDistrict Engineer - District #3Maryland State Highway Administration9300 Kenilworth AvenueGreenbelt, MD 20770Telephone: (301) 513-7311

Ms. Carmeletta T. HarrisProject ManagerProject Planning DivisionMaryland State Highway AdministrationMailstop C-301707 North Calvert StreetBaltimore, MD 21202(410) 545-8522Toll Free in Maryland 1-800-548-5026charris@sha.state.md.us

Mr. Phillip BelloFederal Highway Administration10 S. Howard St.Baltimore, MD 21201Telephone: (410) 779-7156

Information on this and other SHA projects can beobtained at the SHA web site atwww.marylandroads.com.

Costs and Impacts Summary Chart

TABLE 2

Alternate 1: Alternate 2: Alternate 3: Alternate 4: Alternate 4A:

No Build Grade

Separated Grade

Separated At Grade At Grade

Right-of-Way Residential Displacements 0 18 22 12 15

Commercial Displacements 0 0 1 0 0

Parking Impacts (spaces*) 0 34 35 42 42

Properties Affected 0 35 36 30 33

Total Right-of-Way (acres) 0 6 5 4 5

Environmental Features

Wetlands (acres) 0 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2

Streams (linear feet) 0 0 0 0 0

Parks (acres) 0 0 0 0 0

Cost

Total Cost (millions) 0 $54 - $59 M $60 - $73 M $30 - $35 M $32 - $37 M

*A parking space was assumed to be 10' by 20'

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MD 28 Rockville Town Center Study

Traffic Analysis Results at Veirs Mill Road/First Street

TABLE 1

AM PM

LOS v/c LOS v/c

Existing(2002) F 1.00 F 1.11

2025 No-Build F 1.43 F 1.67

Alt 2: Grade Separated C 0.79 D 0.87

Alt 3: Grade Separated D 0.85 E 0.95

Alt 4: At-Grade E 0.95 F 1.06

Alt 4A: At-Grade D 0.84 E 0.94